timely

1 of 2

adjective

time·​ly ˈtīm-lē 

timelier; timeliest

1

: coming early or at the right time

a timely decision

timely payment

2

: appropriate or adapted to the times or the occasion

a timely book

timeliness noun

timely

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in time : opportunely

the question was not … timely raised in the state court

—W. O. Douglas

2

archaic : early, soon

Synonyms

Adjective

• opportune
• seasonable
• well-timed

Examples of timely in a Sentence

Adjective

Her very timely book examines the effects of global warming on the world's climates.

She always responds to my requests in a timely fashion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Health providers are considering using generative AI to understand medical images with greater consistency and precision, which could lead to earlier disease detection disorders and more timely intervention. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024

But Combs' motion argues that the suit was filed too late, because the city law is preempted by the state law, whose provisions mean the lawsuit needed to be filed by August of 2021 to be timely. —CBS News, 11 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

timely

adjective

time·​ly

ˈtīm-lē

timelier; timeliest

1

: coming early or at the right time

2

: especially suitable for the time

a timely book

timeliness noun

Legal Definition

timely

adjective

time·​ly

ˈtīm-lē

: falling within a prescribed or reasonable time

timely notice

timeliness noun

timely adverb